BP trial focus shifts to how much oil spilled

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The focus of a trial over BP’s 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has shifted to the multibillion-dollar question of how much crude gushed from BP’s blown-out well.

Lawyers for BP and the federal government began Monday presenting U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier with conflicting scientific theories to explain their different estimates.

Government experts estimate 4.2 million barrels, or 176 million gallons, spilled into the Gulf. BP has urged Barbier to use an estimate of 2.45 million barrels, or nearly 103 million gallons, in calculating any Clean Water Act penalties.